by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
![]() | Capitol ReefHiking Routes in Waterpocket District |
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Capitol Reef National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Hiking Routes in Capitol Reef’s Waterpocket District
Backcountry hiking opportunities abound in Capitol Reef’s remote, southern
Waterpocket District, ranging from one-hour walks to multi-day backpacking routes.
Short-distance hikes in Red, Surprise, and Headquarters Canyons cut through multiple
sedimentary rock layers, while slot canyons in Burro Wash, Cottonwood Wash, and
Sheets Gulch are arduous but rewarding. Upper and Lower Muley Twist Canyons and
Halls Creek Narrows are popular overnight destinations. Use caution in narrow canyons,
particularly during the flash flood season (typically July–September). Free backcountry
permits are required for all overnight trips and can be obtained at the visitor center.
Surprise Canyon
These routes are not official, maintained trails. Route conditions, including obstacles
in canyons, change frequently due to weather, flash floods, rockfall, and other hazards.
Routefinding, navigation, and map-reading skills are critical. Do not rely solely on
unofficial route markers (rock cairns, etc.); they are not maintained by the National Park
Service (NPS), may not indicate the route in this description, or may be absent.
Red Canyon Trail and
Route
5.6 mi. (9.0 km) round trip
3-4 hrs.
Easy to moderate
Starting at Cedar Mesa Campground, the
Red Canyon Trail bears southwest across a
sagebrush flat before climbing a low ridge
that affords views of the Henry Mountains to
the east. Here the trail follows an old dugway
northwest into Red Canyon. After 1.3 miles
(2.0 km), the trail drops into a sandy wash
flanked by cottonwood trees. Here the route
simply follows the wash bottom for more than
a mile into an amphitheater of high, Wingate
sandstone walls. The hike ends at a fork in the
gray-green and lavender clay of the Chinle
formation, beyond which progress is obstructed
by a collection of large boulders.
Surprise Canyon Route
2.0 mi. (3.2 km) round trip
1-2 hrs.
Easy
The short Surprise Canyon route crosses a
broad, grassy drainage before entering a deep
canyon in the Waterpocket Fold. After crossing
the dry wash bed of Halls Creek, bear slightly
left to crest a small, grassy hill. From here the
cairned trail meanders west among colorful
outcrops before dropping steeply into a rocky
ravine. From here, follow the wash bottom into
the deep, relatively narrow canyon. The route
ends at the base of a spiraling pouroff 1.0 mile
(1.6 km) from the Burr Trail Road. A bypass
on the left offers access to the canyon’s upper
reaches. However, progress is challenging due
to large boulder jams and steep, crumbling
slopes.
Headquarters Canyon
Route
3.2 mi. (5.2 km) round trip
2-3 hrs.
Easy
Headquarters Canyon features sheer, vertical
walls and slopes of Navajo sandstone streaked
with color. Departing from the Burr Trail
Road, a signed, sandy track cuts west across
a sagebrush flat and crosses the dry drainage
of Halls Creek. Within 0.5 mile (0.4 km), the
route crosses a couple of dry washes, edges
around orange Entrada sandstone outcrops,
and descends to a wide, stony gulch. Follow this
drainage west into the Waterpocket Fold.
Less than one mile (1.6 km) from the start, the
deep gorge constricts to a narrow slot usually
free of significant obstacles. Beyond the slot,
the canyon is flush with vegetation. The hike
ends at a sandstone ramp in the ledge-forming
Kayenta formation. A 6-foot dryfall atop the
slide is passable to agile climbers, but progress
beyond is quickly halted by a much higher
dryfall.
Strike Valley Overlook
0.9 mi. (1.4 km) round trip
30 min.-1 hr.
Moderate
From the end of the 2.9-mile (4.7 km) Upper
Muley Twist Road, it is a 0.4-mile (0.6 km)
hike to Strike Valley Overlook. From the
overlook high above the valley, nearly a dozen
sedimentary rock layers representing nearly 150
million of geologic history are on full display.
The overlook, marked by a large rock cairn, sits
atop a low saddle reached by way of a sandy
trail, followed by two moderate-grade slickrock
climbs. Driving the sandy and rock-strewn
Upper Muley Twist Road requires a highclearance vehicle. Overnight camping is not
permitted on the Strike Valley Overlook route.
Additional Backcountry Routes
Detailed information on these longer, strenuous routes is available separately.
Burro Wash / Cottonwood Wash /
Sheets Gulch
Dayhikes into deep sandstone gorges and arduous slot canyons. Accessed from
signed roadside parking areas along the Notom-Bullfrog Road.
Upper Muley Twist Canyon
Sandstone narrows, arches, and panoramic views from high slickrock ridges.
Accessed from Upper Muley Twist Road via Burr Trail Road. Either a long dayhike or
overnight trip.
Lower Muley Twist Canyon
Long, sinuous canyon with narrows and large alcoves; scenic vistas and remote desert
wilderness. Accessed either from Burr Trail Road or the Post Corral trailhead. Either
a long dayhike or overnight trip, depending on the variation of the route chosen.
Halls Creek Narrows
Long, multi-day hike through dry desert landscapes, leading to deep, narrow canyon
at the park’s remote southern tip. Involves wading or possibly swimming through
sections of narrows. Accessed from Halls Creek Overlook via Burr Trail Road.
(continued)
Rules and Regulations
Additional Information
• Free permits are required for backcountry
camping, and are available in-person at:
♦♦Capitol Reef Visitor Center
♦♦Bullfrog Visitor Center (Glen Canyon NRA)
♦♦Anasazi State Park (Boulder, UT)
♦♦Escalante Interagency Visitor Center
• Dispersed/at-large camping is prohibited
within the park, including at or near
trailheads. Dispersed/at-large camping
is allowed on federal lands (USFS, BLM)
adjacent to the park.
• Pets are not permitted on trails or in off-trail
or backcountry areas. Pets are permitted on
roads and in designated campgrounds.
• Fires are prohibited.
• Collecting or damaging any park resource
(plants, animals, wood, rocks, bones, antlers,
artifacts, etc.) is prohibited.
• Violation of these regulations may result in a
citation.
Best season:
Maps:
Spring and fall
USGS 7.5-minute series: Golden Throne,
Notom, Bear Canyon, Sandy Creek Benches,
Bitter Creek Divide, Wagon Box Mesa, The
Post, Deer Point, Stevens Canyon North, and
Hall Mesa. Maps available at the visitor center.
For more information:
Contact the Capitol Reef Visitor Center at
435-425-4111.
Trailhead Location Map
CAPITOL REEF
NATIONAL PARK
1
Burro Wash
24
To Hanksville
24
2 Cottonwood Wash
Visitor
Center
3 Sheets Gulch
4 Red Canyon
NOTE: Cell phone
service in this area is
unreliable or nonexistent. You are
responsible for your
own safety.
5 Upper Muley Twist Canyon
1
2
12
7 Lower Muley Twist Canyon
(Burr Trail Road trailhead)
u
om-B
No t
6 Strike Valley Overlook
9 Headquarters Canyon
ad
llfrog Ro
3
8 Surprise Canyon
10 Lower Muley Twist Canyon
(Post Corral trailhead)
Cedar Mesa
Campground
(no water)
4
11 Halls Creek Narrows
l
ai
Tr
30.1
48.4
Burr Trail Road
junction
41.4
66.6
Upper Muley
Twist junction
44.5
71.6
Post Corral
trailhead
44.2
Halls Creek
Overlook
56.2
8
9
10
To Hwy 276,
Bullfrog Marina
(Lake Powell)
Park boundary
Paved road
Unpaved road
ad
Cedar Mesa
Campground
7
To Boulder,
Highway 12
Ro
14.4
Post
Corral
l
Trai
9.0
6
r
Notom-Bullfrog
Road junction
B
Bur
Km
5
r
ur
Driving distances from the
Capitol Reef Visitor Center to:
Miles
Road
Unimproved road (high
clearance necessary)
71.1
11
Vault toilets
90.4
North
0
0
5
5
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
10 mi
10 km
www.nps.gov/care
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